Tippmann A5 Basecoat?

2nwyka · 01-29-2012, 09:00 PM

Hey, 'Nation!
I just got myself a new A5 in a trade for one of my Cockers, and the guy went and put a crazy paint scheme on it.

Now, whatever I try (chemical strippers) to remove it, it doesn't do a thing against the paint. Does this have something to do with the A5 basecoat being a good, porous substance that doesn't like to let the paint go? By the way, what is the basecoat? The serial is 0494637, which puts it before 2010. I'm thinking either cold anno or a powdercoat. Any help is appreciated! I don't have any money for plastic-media blasting or anything like that, I was just looking for a cheap solution.
Thanks!
Noah

Rubbr Chickin · 01-29-2012, 09:10 PM

If you need it sandblasted, throw me a PM. I wont charge anything other than shipping.

I always thought Tippmanns were powdercoated, could be wrong.

tonycon · 01-30-2012, 08:14 AM

the older tippmanns had a decent flat black painted finish, the newer ones have a textured paint finish. it sounds like the paintjob that is on your tippy was done right, if you have a dremel tool you can use the wire brush attachment to strip all the finishes off and start clean.

2nwyka · 01-30-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubbr Chickin

If you need it sandblasted, throw me a PM. I wont charge anything other than shipping.

Thanks for the offer, but I don't even have any money for that! Anywho, I think I'll try stripping it and repainting it either flat black or a dark flat grey. My ultimate goal is a scenario SOPMOD M4/M16.

I'll try it with a dremel tool, and if that doesn't work I'll try some aircraft grade stripper. Any idea what that will do to the plastic components? (Gripframe, foregrip, endcap, Cyclone components)

ChesterMolester · 01-30-2012, 12:39 PM

Have you tried using Acetone? (crazy nasty stuff)

I just spent last night using it to completely strip a Model 98 of its paint. The paint literally peeled right off without much effort. It was $8 at Lowe's for a good size container.

I'm not sure how well it will go up against the paint on your A-5, but it's worth a shot.

Rubbr Chickin · 01-30-2012, 01:19 PM

You should pull your plastic off before getting chemicals on it, and just sand the paint off.

2nwyka · 01-30-2012, 06:08 PM

Yeah, I did try acetone...no effect. I think the guy said the paint he used was Rustolium, and I've used that before on farm tools. It doesn't dissolve! Your reccomendation for the Dremel wire brush works fantastically! It takes forever, but it doesn't mark the paint underneath! I think I'll go buy a few of those wheels so I can finish it. Thanks!
Noah

ChesterMolester · 01-30-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2nwyka

Yeah, I did try acetone...no effect.
Noah

No effect? Wow. Haha.

Good luck with the dremel!

2nwyka · 02-01-2012, 07:26 PM

Well, here's an update. I got it totally stripped down to the bare metal, thanks to an industrial wire-brush on a drill (1400 rpm), then I found some flat black paint (also Rustolium.) So, now it's beautiful and back to the stock look, which is what I wanted. In the future, I'll be sure not to buy things painted with Rustolium! I'll get some pics up when the paint dries!

Zenathura · 02-02-2012, 07:40 AM

glad you got it repainted

tonycon · 02-02-2012, 08:55 AM

did you fill in the spot where the tippmann badge used to be or leave the depression? i only ask because in my opinion it looks better if that area is filled in and sanded to match the profile of the marker. either way, glad we could help.

2nwyka · 02-09-2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonycon

did you fill in the spot where the tippmann badge used to be or leave the depression? i only ask because in my opinion it looks better if that area is filled in and sanded to match the profile of the marker. either way, glad we could help.

I wasn't aware that was possible...Anyway, I painted over it and had my sister draw a sweet-looking tiger-eye mini mural on the nameplate. I'll have the pictures for y'all if photobucket ever decides to work...
Noah

tonycon · 02-10-2012, 08:20 AM

that is what bondo is for! it sounds like what you did is cooler anyway! pics please!

2nwyka · 02-10-2012, 09:53 AM

Got your pictures right here!
Before

After

If you keep scrolling through the pictures, you'll see a couple views! Thanks for the help, guys! I'm off to play with it on Sunday, so we'll see how she does...
Noah

Speedfreak11 · 02-11-2012, 05:58 PM

I'm having issues with your link. Any possibility you can post them up here? I'm about to start blasting/painting 28 98c's I picked up. I want to see how that rustoleum flat black turned out.